This year, it was the turn of Sacred Heart Church Teddington to organise the annual Christmas Day Lunch for those who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day.
Planning started in earnest in October with publicity for the event distributed to key local organisations. We were fortunate that the cook who has prepared the lunch for the last few years agreed to help once again.
As in previous years, The Elleray Hall charity kindly agreed to the use of their hall for the event at no charge. Applications from guests and volunteers came in thick and fast and it was decided to limit numbers to around 50 guests and 50 volunteers.
This year, a substantial contribution was made by the staff and children of Sacred Heart Primary School who made beautiful welcome cards (sent to all guests with the programme for the day);
hand decorated Christmas crackers, name badges and gift tags and provided 100 home-made mince pies.
The school also loaned its sound system to provide a microphone, background music and a phone link to The King’s Christmas Message.
Volunteers assembled and laid 15 trestle tables on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. The hall, already decorated for Christmas, looked very festive with the addition of bright red tablecloths, seasonal napkins and the Christmas crackers. The Baptist Church kindly loaned extra crockery, cutlery and glasses and all the food, drink, raffle prizes and gift bags were assembled.
It was an early start on Christmas Day, welcoming the cook, Luis, and his team at 7.30am. Over half the guests were brought by volunteers in their own cars. All guests were welcomed, shown to their tables and introduced to their volunteer table “hosts”. Other volunteers brought them tea, coffee and biscuits. Guests had been asked beforehand who they would like to sit with, and a table plan was drawn up to accommodate their choices, with flexibility if any guest was unhappy.
Guests were formally welcomed by John Lunt of Sacred Heart Church and joined in carol singing led by John and Bernadette Francis from the church. Quizzes and conversation followed.
Father Stephen said Grace before the traditional turkey lunch with all the trimmings was served by volunteers. Suitable lunches were provided for guests who were vegetarian or had special dietary needs. Wine and soft drinks were served with the meal, and after the pudding, more tea and coffee, sweets and the mince pies made by the school staff were handed round.
Our local MP, Munira Wilson, visited just after lunch and spent time talking to guests and volunteers at each table, which was much appreciated. And the grand prize draw made sure that every guest left with a raffle prize! Everyone listened attentively to The King’s Christmas Message, which marked the end of the lunch. Many compliments were heard as all left the hall.
A small team of volunteers returned on Boxing Day to clean up, remove all the rubbish and make sure the hall was left as we found it. Special thanks to the Hampton Fund and to Waitrose for substantial donations this year towards this important, vital, in every way, annual event.
Huge thanks to John Lunt, who stepped up for our parish community to spearhead the plans, bringing volunteers and all the arrangements together over several very busy months. Also to John’s wife, Ginny who worked so hard behind the scenes organising cars and matching drivers to guests so that everyone got there and back safely – quite a feat of logistics. Take a bow both. Thank you on behalf of the Parish, CTT and all involved, volunteers and of course guests, what a joyful Christmas celebration!
sacred heart teddington 